Uncovering the Origins and Evolution of Confessional Poetry

In the late 1950s, a literary movement known as Confessional Poetry emerged, sparked by a review of Robert Lowell's book Life Studies by M.L. Rosenthal. This revolutionary approach to writing was characterized by a raw and vulnerable style, with poets drawing from their personal experiences rather than hiding behind metaphorical masks. This movement, inspired by a changing America, played a significant role in the history of Modern American poetry.

The Four Pioneering Poets

Confessional Poetry is often associated with four influential poets: Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Robert Lowell, and W.D. Snodgrass. In contrast to traditional American poetry, which kept a distance between the poet and the speaker of the poem, Confessional Poetry broke down this barrier and created a closer connection between the two. This shift towards a more intimate and personal approach had a significant impact on the landscape of American poetry.

Have you ever considered the difference between a narrator and a speaker? While a narrator typically tells a story in longer works, in poetry, the persona speaking in the poem is referred to as the speaker.

A Reflection of Changing Times

The rise of Confessional Poetry coincided with a rapidly evolving America. The traditional notion of the "American Dream" was being challenged by countercultural movements, and the country was experiencing significant events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and rapid technological advancements. These influences played a pivotal role in shaping the themes and styles of Confessional Poetry.

A Revolutionary Writing Style

Confessional Poets aimed to break away from mainstream American culture, striving to eliminate the divide between speaker and poet in their writing. They used direct and colloquial language to convey personal and psychologically impactful experiences. Metaphors were often eschewed, and instead, these poets relied on real facts and events. Privacy, a highly debated topic during the Cold War era, was disregarded by these poets, who sought to share their experiences publicly and challenge conventional ideas of privacy.

• Colloquial: Informal or familiar language, such as using "gonna" instead of "going to".

The Evolution of Confessional Poetry

As Confessional Poetry gained popularity in the 1960s, its delivery also evolved. Poets began performing their works at readings, incorporating various performance styles to create an authentic and intimate experience for the audience.

By the 1970s, the movement began to lose momentum, but its influence on the literary world was long-lasting. It paved the way for other forms of poetry, such as Slam Poetry and Performance Poetry. Modern critique of Confessional Poetry suggests that it lacked diversity in terms of race, class, and sexuality. However, the works of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath were instrumental in shedding light on issues of violence against women.

From Confessional Poetry to Slam and Performance Poetry

Two poetry forms that stemmed from Confessional Poetry are Slam Poetry and Performance Poetry. Slam Poetry involves competitive spoken word performances, while Performance Poetry is written with the intention of being performed. Both of these styles reject traditional and restrictive poetic structures.

Key Characteristics of Confessional Poetry

Confessional Poetry is characterized by several key features, including intimate subject matters, the use of first-person point of view, autobiographical experiences, and a deliberate and skilled use of craftsmanship. These poets boldly addressed once-taboo topics and brought them to the forefront of public discourse, setting a powerful and lasting precedent in the world of poetry.

Confessional Poetry: Exploring the Personal and the Poetic

One of the most well-known examples of Confessional Poetry is Sylvia Plath's 'Daddy' (1965). In this powerful poem, Plath boldly compares her father to a Nazi and herself to a Jewish victim during the Holocaust. She openly expresses her hatred for her father and shares her struggles with suicidal thoughts, without hiding behind metaphors or euphemisms.

Confessional Poets have a distinct approach to writing, using the First Person Point of View and frequently incorporating "I" in their work. This technique creates a bridge between the speaker of the poem and the poet, inviting the reader to step into the poet's mind and empathize with their experiences. In her personal poem 'All My Pretty Ones' (1962), Anne Sexton uses the first person to directly address her alcoholic father and confront him about his actions, delving into the pain it caused her and her mother.

Confessional Poetry is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of the poet. These poets draw from their own lives, often focusing on the more difficult and challenging aspects, creating a literary precursor to modern-day memoirs and autobiographies. In Robert Lowell's 'Waking in the Blue' (1959), a pivotal Confessional Poem in Life Studies, the poet openly discusses his time in a mental institution and his struggle with mental illness. He reflects on a B.U. sophomore night attendant in the poem, revealing his desire for her. However, this desire later turns into an obsession, which reflects his manic state during his time at the institution.

While Confessional Poets refrain from using metaphors to describe their real-life events, they skillfully utilize various literary devices to enhance their lyrical language. These devices, including metaphors, allusions, aphorisms, and imagery, engage the reader and maintain their interest in the often unsettling subject matter. Among the Confessional Poets, W.D. Snodgrass is renowned for his attention to detail and craftsmanship, evident in his lyrical language. For instance, a stanza from his poem 'The Campus on the Hill' exemplifies his masterful use of literary devices:

"A grief ago, a pencil and two proofs, a paper rose,A scream in the closet, hearing your green coatGo in the wind, a wingbeat, your sobbing Now I am glue and the paper is gone, the scissors cut" (Stanza 3, 'The Campus on the Hill' by W.D. Snodgrass)

Snodgrass's Poem 'A Locked House' (1959)

"As we drove back, crossing the hill, the house still hidden in the trees,I always feared it might have caught fire or someone may have broken in.It seemed that things were too good here.Yet, we always found it locked, tightly secure and sound." (Stanza 1, 'A Locked House' by W.D. Snodgrass)

In this excerpt alone, we can see how Snodgrass uses literary devices to create a unique and lyrical poem. He follows a casual rhyme scheme of AABBCCDD and incorporates sound devices like alliteration with phrases like "fool's fear" and "safe and sound". Additionally, his use of enjambment, where sentences flow over multiple lines within a stanza, emphasizes certain words at the beginning of each line, such as "fire" and "too good". Overall, Snodgrass's attention to crafting his poems allows them to flow smoothly and have a powerful impact when read aloud.

It's important to remember that Confessional Poetry was often performed as spoken word. By reading Snodgrass's poem 'A Locked House' aloud, we can appreciate how the writing style adds to its rhythm and flow.

The Influential Confessional Poets and Their Works

The four most notable and influential Confessional Poets are Robert Lowell, W.D. Snodgrass, Anne Sexton, and Sylvia Plath.

Robert Lowell

Robert Lowell (1917-1977) was born and raised in Boston and studied at Harvard College, where he nurtured his love for poetry after meeting fellow poet Richard Eberhart in high school. During his time at Harvard, Lowell also crossed paths with the renowned poet Robert Frost. In 1959, he published his poetry book, Life Studies, which delved into deeply personal stories. This collection marked a departure from traditional poetic forms and meters, as Lowell opted for a looser style. By the 1960s, his poetry became more public, and in the 1970s, he blended both traditional and looser forms in his work.

Robert Lowell: A Trailblazer in Confessional Poetry

Robert Lowell (1917-1977) was a highly acclaimed poet, receiving prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize in 1947 for his second collection of poems, "Lord Weary's Castle," and the National Book Award in 1960 for "Life Studies." His work delved into a wide range of themes, drawing inspiration from his own experiences with death, mental illness, political issues, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Notable Poetry by Robert Lowell:

• Lord Weary's Castle (1946)
• Life Studies (1959)
• 'For the Union Dead' (1964)
• 'The Old Glory' (1965)
• Notebook (1970)

W.D. Snodgrass: The Influence of a Master Poet

After serving in the US Navy as a typist during World War I, W.D. Snodgrass (1926-2009), a native of Pennsylvania, pursued studies at the University of Iowa under the guidance of Confessional Poet Robert Lowell. Under Lowell's mentorship, Snodgrass published his autobiographical book, "Heart's Needle" (1959), which heavily influenced his teacher to explore the Confessional genre. Though he denied being a Confessional Poet, his nearly 30 poetry collections are considered foundational to the movement.

Poetry by W.D Snodgrass:

• Heart's Needle (1959)
• After Experience: Poems and Translations (1968)
• 'The Boy Made of Meat' (1983)
• 'The Death of Cock Robin' (1989)

Anne Sexton: Finding Freedom in Confessional Poetry

Anne Sexton (1928-1974), a Massachusetts native, attended school in her home state. In 1954, after experiencing a manic episode, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A year later, her therapist, Dr. Martin Orne, encouraged her to turn to poetry as a form of expression. Sexton's work quickly gained recognition, with poems being featured in esteemed publications like The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and The Saturday Review. With the mentorship of Robert Lowell and guidance from W.D. Snodgrass, Sexton honed her poetic style. She was also a close friend of fellow Confessional Poet, Sylvia Plath. In 1967, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her poetry collection, "Live or Die" (1966). Her writing often focused on themes such as women's experiences, alcoholism, and mental illness.

Notable Poetry by Anne Sexton:

• All My Pretty Ones (1962)
• Live or Die (1966)
• Mercy Street (1969)
• Death Notebooks (1974)

Sylvia Plath: A Life Reflected in Her Poetry

Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), a Boston native, attended Smith College. At the young age of eight, Plath had her first poem published in the Boston Herald.

Poetry by Sylvia Plath: A Reflection of Her Life and Struggles

Sylvia Plath, a highly acclaimed poet, gained national recognition with her first published poem appearing in the Christian Science Monitor. Her poetry was heavily influenced by renowned poets such as Dylan Thomas, W. B. Yeats, and Marianne Moore. However, her personal battles with depression and numerous suicide attempts overshadowed her success. Her poetry collection, "Ariel" (1965), rose in popularity after her tragic death. Through her poems, Plath openly expressed her experiences with mental illness, trauma, and death. She posthumously received the Pulitzer Prize in 1982 for her collection, "The Collected Poems" (1981).

Confessional Poetry: An Honest and Personal Genre

The late 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of Confessional Poetry, a genre that delves into the poet's personal experiences and emotions. It bridges the gap between the poet and the speaker in the poem. Some of the most renowned Confessional Poets include Robert Lowell, W.D. Snodgrass, Anne Sexton, and Sylvia Plath. This genre is known for its intimate subject matter, use of first-person perspective, autobiographical elements, and meticulous craftsmanship. Meant to be performed as spoken word, Confessional Poetry has also influenced other poetic movements such as Slam Poetry and Performance Poetry.

Notable Confessional Poets

• Robert Lowell
• W.D. Snodgrass
• Anne Sexton
• Sylvia Plath

The Style of Confessional Poetry

Confessional Poetry is characterized by its honest and direct style, where poets openly discuss their personal experiences and struggles with mental illness, trauma, and death. Plath's iconic poem, "Lady Lazarus," is a prime example of this genre as she candidly reflects on her battles with mental health.

The Legacy of Kamala Das: A Mid-Century Confessional Poet

Kamala Das, a renowned mid-century Indian poet, is revered as a pioneer of the Confessional Poetry movement. Her writing has challenged societal norms and gained widespread acclaim for its raw and unapologetic exploration of women's sexual experiences.